Recently, Justice Colin McKinnon ruled that mandatory minimum sentences for two sex offences should not apply in the case of a “naïve and unsophisticated pimp who unwillingly recruited and photographed two under age prostitutes”. (Here’s the article)

At Voice Found, we are a survivor led organization that supports countless numbers of victims of human trafficking and exploitation in Eastern Ontario. Many of our clients are under the age of 16. As persons with lived experience, we are deeply saddened and angered by this decision. There is no such thing as an underage prostitute. All minors involved in sex work are victims of sexual exploitation and should be treated and spoken of as such.

As we evolve and our justice system changes, so do the manipulation tactics used by pimps to control and sell victims of exploitation. Justice Collin McKinnon’s decision has paved the way for traffickers to further manipulate their victims into telling our justice system that their abuser did not know of their young age and that they were treated very nicely by the accused.

Our system does not protect our children. Decisions such as this is why it is so hard for victims to come forward. The only “irreparable damage“ that has been done is to the future of these young girls and to the future of the many other young girls who will be exploited.

Finally, we commend the work that the Ottawa Police and the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking team do to fight this crime. These were not ‘exaggerated police claims’ – these are police identifying minors being sexually exploited.

On February 22nd, Voice Found marks Ontario’s First Human Trafficking Awareness Day by launching H.E.A.L.T.H. – Canada’s first health clinic for persons at risk of, being or who have been trafficked.

There will be a press conference at 9:00 am immediately following our invitation only launch event and during the day upon request and subject to availability. We will arrange tours of the clinic upon request between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on the 22nd.

Called H.E.A.L.T.H. (Healing, Education, Advocacy, Linkage, Trauma-informed, Healing) the clinic is exclusively designed to care for and support trafficked persons who can often find mainstream health care environments traumatic. We will serve ages 13 and up – regardless of gender, insurance or documentation. In addition to health care services, there will be case managers onsite to help connect clients with appropriate support including peer support. This will include a representative from Ottawa Victim Services who will help clients with access to the victim quick response program (VQRP). Training opportunities for healthcare professionals will be available to help them learn how to work with survivors of human trafficking in a mentored and supported environment that models trauma informed, client centered, and culturally informed care. We will also be providing employment opportunities for survivors.

The breakfast event will be held at 7:30 am on Thursday, February 22nd in Ottawa at the Andaz Hotel, 325 Dalhousie St – 2nd floor. Press Conference to follow at 9:00 am.

Contact:

For more information contact:

Cynthia Bland Founder/CEO Voice Found

613-763-5332 office 613-282-7424 cell

Cynthia@voicefound.ca

About Voice Found: We are a national survivor-led charity whose mission is to prevent child sex abuse and commercial sexual exploitation. We provide front line services and support to persons who have been or are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation through The Hope Found Project.

http://voicefound.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/voicefound-2-300x93.png00Cynthiahttp://voicefound.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/voicefound-2-300x93.pngCynthia2017-09-29 19:15:342017-09-29 19:15:34Press Release: New Clinic Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking to open in Ottawa

It’s often said that certain people come into your life for a reason. Sometimes you’re not sure why you’re so drawn to them, but you are, and you are forever grateful that you’ve met. For me, Suzanne Sagmeister is one such person.

October 8. 2011

5 years ago I started seeing photographs of people that were taking my breath away. Often these were engagement or wedding photos. The capture of personalities, the edgy and unique setting, the moods – really just everything about these photos spoke to me. When my eldest son announced he was getting married, I knew what my wedding gift would be. I contacted my future daughter-in-law, asked her to look at Suzanne’s work and on October 8, 2011 the wedding day was beautifully captured by Suzanne.

Last year I discovered that Suzanne had started Conspiracy of Hope – a grassroots photographic movement to create conversation about suicide, inspire hope and save lives. I was drawn to the organization for so many reason – many of which she did not know about when she was in Ottawa to shoot my son’s wedding. She did not know there were survivors in attendance – people whose lives had been forever changed by the loss of loved ones to suicide. I believe she knew about the work I was doing with Voice Found but it was not a conversation we had during the course of wedding festivities. And we certainly never spoke about my personal struggles and the fact that child sexual abuse is a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviour.

Suzanne is now preparing to embark on a cross Canada tour to photograph survivors of suicide for a book to be titled ‘Life After Dark’. Called ‘Architects of Hope’, these survivors are people who have lost a loved one to suicide or have survived an attempt. When I learned of this project, I knew I needed to help in whatever way I could. After all, it is by talking and sharing that we can best help save lives. People need to know they are not alone and that suicide – like child sex abuse – is largely preventable.

My contribution to this project is serving as the Ambassador for Ontario. As such I am looking for people in the Thunder Bay and Ottawa areas who are interested in sharing their stories as ‘Architects of Hope’. If you are interested in participating, please contact me cynthia at voicefound.ca. Dates for ThunderBay are around June 23rd/24th and in Ottawa June 27th/28th.

Suzanne is a beautiful person embarking on a powerful journey. I know why we met – and I am forever grateful that we did. Down to earth, sincere, super creative and beautiful inside and out – I know you will love her as much as I do!

Contact me today if you would like to be a part of this book. Your story WILL save a life. Your courage will inspire others. Your pain will have purpose.

The crime of child sexual abuse affects every single one of us. The financial and societal costs are huge and yet it is a crime that can mostly be prevented!
During National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, we are leveraging the theme of ‘Shaping the Future Together’ and doing just that. Here are some ways you can actively participate in shaping a future that sees a reduction in the incidents of child sex abuse and more support for survivors!

SURVEY – April 19th to 25th – CANADA – Have Your Say

We’re getting ready to deliver more services and programs but before we do that, we want your feedback. This is your opportunity to provide us with some insight into what would be valuable for you. Let’s work together to shape a safe and happy future for children and survivors.
This anonymous survey will take you about 5 minutes to complete.

April 18th – Saint John, NB – Stewards of Children

April 23rd – Ottawa, ON – Share YOUR Story

Survivor, friend, law enforcement, health care provider, partner, spouse, colleague, neighbour, parent. You are invited to share your story from your unique perspective. Share a poem, make a statement, share your story or part of it. We will be video taping what you share. Ultimately, we will create one video masterpiece that uses YOUR voice and YOUR story to tell a powerful story.
Please use the registration form at the bottom of this page. Registration is required and must be received no later than noon April 22nd.

April 24th – Ottawa, ON – Facilitator Training

We are training facilitators to deliver Stewards of Children training. People from Nunavut, New Brunswick and Ontario have already signed up to join us. These individuals will be helping to shape the future by becoming authorized facilitators who can then train adults in their communities on how to prevent, recognize or respond to child sexual abuse. Registration is limited with only 2 spots left. We must have your registration in no later than April 17th.

Look for Facebook posts and tweets from us throughout the week. We’ll share prevention tips and much more!

REGISTER FOR APRIL 23RD – SHARE YOUR STORY

A small team of students from the Interactive Multi-Media class at Algonquin College in Ottawa worked with us to develop a powerful video called ‘Consequences’.
We are so proud of the children who volunteered to appear in this video and their parents who understand the importance of this message.

“It’s at this point, and only this point, in telling her story that Cynthia starts to cry. Not when confiding the details of her abuse, of the graphic emotional and physical violence done to her, but in acknowledging the resulting feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness, and the realization that she isn’t bad or crazy—that her responses, all of them, were perfectly normal responses to obscenely abnormal acts.”

We are looking to fill a few positions on our board of directors. The people we are looking for must be committed to helping guide Voice Found to fulfill it’s mission. Experience in charitable organizations and non-profits is desirable.

It gives us great pleasure to announce that we have some additional new training space thanks to the generosity of the good folks at MediaStyle!

IdeaSpace is Ottawa’s new and exciting downtown collaboration space, studio and special events venue. Located at 131 Bank Street, 4th floor – we know you will find this space easy to get to and a wonderful place to learn!

We will be delivering Stewards of Children, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention training and Volunteer Facilitator Training here starting on January 11th.

MediaStyle is passionate about teaching communications skills and also creates strategic plans and killer content for web, radio and television.Web. Social. TV. Radio. Brand creation. Street level. Mobile. They’ve done it all from concept through integrated execution. They create killer content. Passionately.

We analyze the media, track public relations trends and interview media creators. You don’t need a PR agency when you have MediaStyle.

Diane Kroe has been supporting Voice Found since she met the founder in the spring of 2010. They immediately hit it off with their shared love of travel, fashion and a desire to stop children from being sexually abused.

Every show season, Diane raises money for Voice Found and ends a busy year in the founder’s home town of Ottawa. This year Diane has designed a gorgeous, reversible red and black dress called ‘Limitless Chiffon’ and she will be auctioning it off with all proceeds going to Voice Found.

You can see and bid on the dress at booth # 311 at Ottawa’s Originals Show that is taking place at the Ernst & Young Centre from December 12th to 22nd.

Bidding starts at $200.00 and if the dress is not your size – don’t worry, Diane will make one in your size. (allow 2 weeks) Bidding closes at the end of the day on December 21st and the winner will be announced and contacted that evening.

Please stop by and see Diane Kroe’s signature collections that embrace chic, smart styling to give glamorous detail to multi-function. These timeless, easy care, wrinkle-free pieces are perfect for any occasion and a must-have for travelling light.